§ Sir E. Makinsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the case of crops requisitioned in East Africa, the Government fixes the purchasing price beforehand or not; and whether there is any system in existence under which producers obliged to reserve at least a part of their crop for Great Britain and France are compensated if the products are not eventually taken over?
Mr. M. MacDonaldSo far as I am aware, no crops have been requisitioned in East Africa. As regards the second part of the Question, two commodities only are concerned. In order to suit the convenience of all parties, the producers of sisal are being informed from time to time of the requirements of the United Kingdom and France over the next few months and are making arrangements to have the necessary supplies available. Similarly in the case of tea, the Ministry of Food have concluded contracts with the East African producers for a fixed quantity of tea to be delivered during 1940. There is no reason to suppose1172W that in either case the produce set aside for the United Kingdom and France will be left on the producers' hands.